March 7, 2019

Department Updates

Building Inspection: The building inspection division not only issues permits and performs inspections, they also enforce state building codes statues and city ordinances! This includes snow and ice removal. We're sending a reminder out to keep sidewalks and ramps free from snow and ice.

Clerk's Office: Our next local election is April 2, 2019. In Person Absentee Voting for the Spring Election in the City of Sun Prairie will run from March 11, 2019 to March 30, 2019. Learn more about location and times to vote absentee.

EMS Department: Chief Goff participated in Read Your Heart Out Day at Westside Elementary. The EMS and Fire Department will be co-hosting a St. Baldrick's head shaving event at the Nitty Gritty on March 30. Learn more about the upcoming event.

Finance Department: The finance department issues comprehensive financial statements to summarize activity during each fiscal year. The City of Sun Prairie recently received awards for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for fiscal year 2017. Learn more about these reports today!

Parks and Recreation Department: The parks and recreation department is excited to roll out its new website, which includes a mobile-friendly app that can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple Store. Additional sessions of the popular program Music Together have been added and upcoming events include Zumba Gold, Kids PJ Party and P90X. Do you need a babysitter for P90X? You can register your young ones for Fitness Babysitting so you can get your workout on!

Police Department: At the March 5 Common Council Meeting, the Police Department presented 2018 awards and held a badge pinning ceremony followed by a reception. Learn more about the 2018 recipients!

Public Works: We need your help! As temperatures rise and snow melts, the city and public works department is asking residents to locate and assist in keeping storm drains clear of snow and debris to help alleviate potential flooding.

Sun Prairie Public Library: March 31 is the extended deadline for the writing contest on "Why I love My Library," sponsored by the Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library. Join the library for Oscar Sunday on March 10 where the feature film will be Mary Queen of Scotts or join the library on Sunday March 17 for the Madison Flute Club Concert. Learn more about the upcoming Dream Bus - a brand new book mobile coming to a neighborhood near you!

Building Inspection

Snow Removal Regulations

Public SidewalksTo make public sidewalks safe for pedestrians, the owner or occupant of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for the removal of any snow or ice that accumulates on the sidewalk - this includes curb ramps. Residents and property owners are required to clear snow from their sidewalk within twenty-four hours from the time the snow stops. And remember, snow plows might create a blockage even after your drive and curb ramps have been cleared. This is an unfortunate side effect of city-wide plowing and we appreciate your understanding and assistance in keeping public sidewalks safe for your neighbors!

How much of my sidewalk do I have to clear?City Ordinance requires the property owner to clear the entire width of the sidewalk, from edge to edge. If the sidewalk has not been cleared by the required time, the property owner may be issued a citation and fine.

What about ice?You are as responsible for clearing ice on your sidewalk as clearing snow. Ice can be more dangerous and intimidating than snow. The sooner and more completely you shovel, the less likely ice will form. It is important to make arrangements for someone to take over while you are on vacation.

In the event that removal of ice is impossible, the property owner or occupant is required to use sand, salt or other suitable substance to prevent the ice from being dangerous. This should be done by noon of the day after the snow/ice stopped.

City Clerk

2019 Spring Election In Person Absentee Voting

Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason to vote absentee. Any voter who prefers to vote by absentee ballot may request one. In Person Absentee Voting for the April 2 Spring Election in the City of Sun Prairie will run from March 11 – March 30, 2019.

The following are the hours and locations that In Person Absentee Voting is available:

EMS Department

Read Your Heart Out

Upcoming St. Baldrick's Event

Sun Prairie EMS and Sun Prairie Fire Department will be co-hosting a St. Baldrick’s head shaving event at the Nitty Gritty on March 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation raises money and donates to childhood cancer research -- some of the research is even done here in Wisconsin!

There are many ways to participate! Whether you decide to shave your head, volunteer, or donate, we hope you will join us and be a part of the excitement! Visit the event website today to learn more.

Finance Department

City of Sun Prairie receives awards for CAFR and PAFR

The City of Sun Prairie recently received awards for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for fiscal year 2017. The CAFR and PAFR are submitted to the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA) by the city’s finance department. Members of the GFOA Special Review Committee and the GFOA Executive Board review submissions by state and local entities for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award. These award programs recognize state and local governments of all types and sizes on their high quality reports that promote better transparency of financial management.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is a thorough and detailed report of the city's financial condition and reports on its activities and balances for the fiscal year. The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is a user-friendly version of the CAFR for the general public.

These financial statements are excellent resources for residents to become more familiar with the city's finances.

Parks & Recreation Department

New Website

The Sun Prairie Parks and Recreation Department also has a registration app to allow for a mobile-friendly registration process. The app can be found in the Apple App Store or Google Play under the name Sun Prairie Recreation.

Coming Soon

Zumba Gold Tuesdays3/12 to 4/23, no class 4/21:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.$28 R/$42 NRJoin this modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity. The design of this class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion, coordination, cardiovascular/muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance! Come ready to sweat and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong.

ZumbaTuesdays3/12 to 4/23, no class 4/26:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. $28 R/$42 NRZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and international music/dance themes that create a dynamic, exciting and FUN and easy to do workout. The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body.

P90XThursdays3/14 to 4/25, no class 4/46:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.$28 R/$42 NRP90X is a total body workout that will keep your body guessing - and transforming - with a variety of strength training moves, cardio conditioning, and core work. In every class you'll tone strong, lean muscle, and together, you'll bust though any plateau that stands in your way.**Need a babysitter? No problem! Have Parks and Recreation Department staff entertain your little one each week while you attend class! Must be registered for P90X in order to register for Fitness Babysitting. $15 R/$23 NR (fee is per child).

Kids PJ PartyFriday 3/226:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.$40 R/$60 NR****fee is per childWear your pajamas, bring your blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals and join us for a night of food and activities. We will enjoy a pizza party, games and activities before settling in to watch a movie. This program is for kids only. Parents, enjoy a night out; you deserve it!

Painter’s Palette YouthThursday 4/46:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.$25 R/$38 NRLearn how artists use light and color in their paintings through a step-by-step process taught by a licensed art teacher. Fee includes all materials, snacks and beverages. Snacks will include sweet and salty treats; beverages will include soda and bottled water. What to wear? We will provide paint shirts, but recommend that you wear older, paint friendly clothes. Everyone WILL get paint on their hands at some point during the class!

**For more information or to register for these and other Recreation programs, visit our new website!

Added Session

We have added additional sessions of our popular program Music Together!

Music together is an action-packed, play oriented music curriculum for children from birth to age 4, with their parents/caregivers. We sing, dance and play a myriad of rhythm instruments. Classes are created around a set of songs that families are listening to at home and in the car. Children in Music Together for three years will sing on pitch, keep a steady beat, and show an intense involvement in making music because they love it.

Thank you to Exchange Club of Sun Praririe and Burrachos

Public Works

We need your help to clear storm drains!

Spring is coming! Warm weather will be here... anytime... well sometime soon we hope.

With the warmer weather and the greater amount of snow we received this year, compared to the last three years, if the temperatures turn quickly we could be faced with ponding and flooding issues throughout Sun Prairie. One thing residents can do to help reduce the effects of these conditions is to locate the storm drains on their street and ensure they are open and clear of snow and debris. This will allow the melting snow to get to the drain and have a place to go.

The city has over 5,000 storm water inlets and public works tries to open as many as possible, but we are unable to get to them all and ensure they remain open as the water is flowing. If you know you have an inlet in your neighborhood and you are able open it, this will help you and your neighbors greatly to reduce the ponding and flooding hazards on your street.

Sun Prairie Public Library

Upcoming Events

Friends of the Library Writing ContestThe Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library are sponsoring a writing contest on “Why I Love My Library. The deadline has been extended until Sunday, March 31. We encourage kids, teens and adults to write a personal short story, essay or poem on this topic. A prize will be awarded in each of three age categories. This project is funded by the Dick Wanless Memorial Fund. Please see the guidelines for more information.

Oscar SundaysFeaturing Mary Queen of Scotts, the story of Mary Stuart who endured imprisonment and execution for her attempt to overthrow her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Rated R, runtime 124 min. Refreshments served!Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m.Library Community Room

Trinity Irish DancersThe Trinity Irish Dancers return to demonstrate their jaw-dropping skills and passion for the Irish jig! All ages welcome and encouraged to attend. A free 30 minute introductory lesson will be offered to all interested children immediately following the show. However, parents must consent AND register them for the lesson on site, just prior to the troops' scheduled performance.

Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m.Library Community Room

Teen Board GamingBoard game fun for teens in 6th-12th grade! Now we meet twice a month! We have snacks! Lately we've been playing Coup Rebellion and Spyfall (so fun!), but we are always open to something new.

Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m.Library Community Room

Madison Flute Club ConcertSwoop into spring with a festive concert by the Madison Flute Club, a local non-profit and educational group whose passion for this wonderful woodwind instrument knows no bounds! Performing on a variety of flutes, including the piccolo, alto, bass, and contra base, they'll serenade us with a series of Spanish dance selections and help us celebrate the season in style!Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m.Library Community Room

Coming Soon: The Dream BusThere isn’t always time to get to the library, so this spring the library will be coming to a neighborhood near you! In a partnership with the Dane County Library Service, the Dream Bus, a brand new bookmobile, will be making stops to serve residents in Sun Prairie starting in April.

The Sun Prairie Dream Bus service is generously sponsored by the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation.